SUMMER CAMP LISTING

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 18, 2002

Keep these things in mind when choosing a camp:

Age 7 or 8 is usually a good starting age for an overnight camp. Ask your child if he or she wants to go to summer camp. Think about how your child reacts during sleepovers. Does the camp suit your child's interests? Talk to friends about their kids' camps.

After you've narrowed your search to two or three, call the directors and ask questions, such as these suggested by the American Camping Association:

What is the camp director's background? (Look for a bachelor's degree and camp administrative experience.) Are most of the counselors at least age 18? What is the ratio of campers to counselors? What are the safety and medical setups? What is the camp philosophy?

Use these resources to help select a camp:

American Camping Association, which represents 2,200 private and nonprofit camps, publishes the "Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps," ($14.95); call (800) 428-2267; or go online to www.aca camps.org.

Super Summer Camp Guide has state-by-state camp listings and camp- related information and advice; posted online by Disney at family2.go.com.

Christian Camping International/USA is an association of more than 1,000 camps, conference and retreat centers. For a directory ($14.95), mail to P.O. Box 62189, Colorado Springs 80962-2189; call 260-9400; fax 260-6398; e-mail cciusa@cciusa.org; or go online to www.cciusa.org.

Some organizations offer help selecting a camp and generally are paid for referrals by camps they represent.

The National Camp Association represents more than 400 camps; call (800) 966-2267; go online to www.summer camp.org; or mail to P.O. Box 764, Pomona, NY 10970.

Student Camp and Trip Advisors Inc. represents more than 400 private camps in the United States; call (800) 542-1233; or go online to www.campadvisors.com.

Tips on Trips and Camps service represents nearly 300 private camps; call (800) 519-8477; or go online to www.tipsontripsandcamps.com, www.campsearch.com or www.kidscamps.com.

EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL CAMPS

Here's a selection of camps that offer a variety of programs for many ages. Call the camps for prices.

ADVENTURE PURSUITS, Oak Creek; Farley Kautz, camp director. Offers wilderness adventures that include whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, canoeing, horseback riding and more for ages 12- 21, June 14-Aug. 16. Contact Alexandra Pallut, director of expeditions; call (888) 651-8336; fax (970) 736-0043; e-mail info@adventures.com; or go online to www.apadventures.com.

AMERICA'S ADVENTURE/VENTURE EUROPE, Golden; Abbott Wallis, director. Camping, travel and wilderness adventures in the United States, Europe, Costa Rica, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand for ages 12-18; two-, three-, four- and six-week sessions from June to August. Mail to 2245 Stonecrop Way, Golden 80401; call (303) 526- 0806; e-mail info@aave.com; or go online to www.aave.com.

LDcqBEIDLEMAN ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, 740 W. Caramillo St., Colorado Springs. Programs, lectures and excursions, including Ecotek Camp, which teaches children about the natural world, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; ages 6-7, June 17-21; and ages 8-9, June 10- 14. Camps for ages 6-11: Animal Rock Day Camp, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, may be limited to one camp session per child; Palmer Park, June 17-21 and June 24-28; Cheyenne Caon, July 8-12; Rock Ledge Ranch, July 15-19; Garden of the Gods, July 22-July 26 and July 29- Aug. 2. Registrations start April 15; walk-in registrations start April 22. Call Parks and Recreation, 385-6512.

BLACK FOREST CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER, Colorado Springs; Melissa Morton, manager. Encounter Christ through activities such as camping, archery, field sports, using a water slide, bungee swing and ropes course along with discussions of scripture and concepts and daily devotions. Music, arts, drama and mountain-bike camps for sixth- graders and older. Tent camp for middle-schoolers and high- schoolers. New Adventures for second- and third-graders. Junior Cabin for grades 3-5. One-week sessions, June 9-Aug. 3. Contact Melissa Morton; mail to 780 E. Baptist Road, Colorado Springs 80921; call 488- 3750; fax 488-0028; or go online to www.bfccc@bfccc.org. Operated by American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains.

CAMP COLORADO, Eagle Lake Camp in Pike National Forest; Megan Destaffaney, director. For children ages 8-17 with diabetes; activities include horseback riding, rock and ropes course, swimming, sailing and crafts; June 30-July 5. Mail to Megan Destaffaney, in care of American Diabetes Association, 2480 W. 26th Ave., Suite 120B, Denver 80211; call (720) 855-1102, Ext. 7019.

CAMP ELIM, Woodland Park. A nondenominational Bible camp in the Pike National Forest that offers volleyball, kickball, swimming, archery, obstacle course, arts and crafts, ropes course, canoeing and chapel; coed for grades 3-12. Contact Jay Brady; mail to 5567 County Road 78, Woodland Park 80863; call 687-2030; e-mail office@campelim.com; or go online to www.campelim.com.

CAMP NUHOP, Golden Bell Ranch in Divide; Trevor Dunlap, Colorado director. Residential summer camp for children with learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and behavioral disorders. Outdoor activities focus on building self-esteem and developing relationships; exploration, wilderness, acclimatization and adventure camps for ages 6-18. One-week session, July 8-13. Call (419) 289- 2227; or go online to www.campnuhop.org and click on Colorado.